Ericsson steps up efforts to reduce complexity in transport networks
EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center) is the independent test centres for telecom industry players. The tests focused on addressing the increasing demands of data centres, 5G networks and multi-domain service provider environments for reliable and high-speed connectivity.
Network technologies such as Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6), time synchronisation, and segment routing multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) could reduce complexity in transport networks, making it easier for communications service providers to manage their networks and improve performance.
The tests have shown the compatibility of these transport technologies in multi-vendor environments, covering various services and use cases such as ethernet virtual private network (EVPN). EVPN is also a tool in the transport network to support Ethernet service in the most efficient operational manner. It also supports multi-homing for finer granularity load sharing as well as increased network resilience and mixture of Ethernet and IP services through integrated routing and bridging model.
Why Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) matters
SRv6 is a network protocol that can provide routing and traffic engineering solutions. It can expedite the delivery of fast and reliable connections for service providers to meet the rising demand for high-speed connectivity while better supporting network slicing and reducing complexity by cutting the number of network protocols. SRv6 will also increase the level of network automation and lower the total cost of ownership.
As standards for SRv6 consolidate, Ericsson’s solution engineering team is developing and testing migration and interworking solutions with core IP vendors in the industry. Participation at the EANTC multivendor interoperability testing event with SRv6 is one example of Ericsson’s commitment to this technology.
Mika Heikkinen, head of product line transport, Ericsson Networks, says “Ericsson considers Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) as a good option for future backhaul networks. It is simpler, more scalable, more flexible and provides native support for network functions. It also has better integration with cloud services. For service providers, deploying Segment Routing will optimise their network performance, minimise costs, and deliver better quality services to their customers.”
How Router 6000 portfolio supports Segment Routing
Ericsson’s Router 6000 portfolio supports end-to-end Segment Routing over MPLS with link-state routing protocol IS-IS and OSPF (open shortest path first) control planes. Traffic Engineering options are also supported.
Ericsson is developing a complete router portfolio that implements SRv6 natively without any performance degradations using the latest generation merchant ASIC chipsets for cell site, pre-aggregation, aggregation, DC gateway and cloud RAN use cases.
From end of 2022, Ericsson has introduced support for SRv6 on the latest members of its Router 6000 family – Router 6673 and Router 6273. Two new routers unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2023 (Router 6676 and Router 6678) will also support SRv6. These SRv6-capable Router 6000 versions provide a greater degree of future-proofing for service providers, compared to previous generation merchant silicon that does not have official support for SRv6.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter @IoTGN